Act’s signature will make ‘detention of children a last resort’

THE signing into law of the last sections of the Children Act 2001 was warmly welcomed yesterday.

Child law expert Geoffrey Shannon said the act could now fully fulfil its purpose, which, he said, was to make the detention of children a last resort.

The sections signed into law by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan give the courts power to adjourn the prosecution of a child for a criminal offence.